| DRINKS | "10 CANE - Rhum Agricole 70cl Bottle" |
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WINES SPIRITS TOBACCO |
 "10 Cane Rum is the brainchild of Hennessy master distiller Jean Pineau, who was charged by the company five years ago with its creation. The challenge, he says, was quite satisfying: 'I control the quality of Cognacs, but I don't create Cognac. This rum I created.' From the start, Pineau's philosophy was to apply the Cognac makers' standards of high quality in the choice of raw materials to the making of rum. That led to the use of sugarcane as opposed to molasses and also to the decision to use only the first pressing of the cane, which yields 25 percent less juice, but delivers a higher quality product, according to Pineau. He describes a revelation he had regarding rum making on one of his expeditionary trips to the Caribbean: 'I sucked on a cut cane in a field and decided that taste of raw sugar juice was what I ultimately wanted to bring to the spirit.' To that end, the choice of the best cane is key to the rum as well as using it when it is as fresh as possible, he says. Pineau even praises the local harvesters of Trinidad, whom he describes as artists with their machetes. The copper pot stills are alembics that Pineau brought from Cognac. The rum is distilled twice. While pot stills convey more of the flavour of the raw materials in a spirit, they all allow impurities that the distiller must eliminate through his skill. Key to that, says Pineau, is boiling the fermented product at low temperatures as they do in Cognac. While other producers of superpremium rums would certainly dispute Moet Hennessy's claim that it is the first to bring luxury to the category, there is no denying its contention of innovation. The approach of focusing primarily on the inception, and not the maturation, of the spirit is unique in this price category. The rum is aged for a comparatively scant six months in French oak. Typically, high-quality rums are aged for years and used Bourbon barrels are the vessels of choice. The result is a bright rum, clear with the slightest lemon-lime colour. The bouquet is particularly floral, with a back aroma of olive oil. The palette certainly corroborates Pineau's intention with a sharp taste of cane sugar, but there are also hints of citrus, vanilla and spice, as well as fusel oils. The finish happens in the roof of the mouth with a residual blast of lemon. The makers also tout 10 Cane for drinking neat or on the rocks. However, if your concept of a sipping rum means the mellow charms of a Pampero or a Bacardi 8, this zesty drink will be a departure that requires a different aesthetic approach to its redeeming qualities."Price: 30.69 |
| "42 BELOW 70cl Bottle" | "42 BELOW - Feijoa (Pineapple Guava) 70cl Bottle" |
 "Distilled near a world benchmark for air purity, 42 degrees below the equator and from GM Free wheat from the purist wheat-fields in the world. Distilled three times, then the spirit is washed in spring water, reducing the level of alcohol to 6%. This cleans any remaining impurities. It is then distilled a fourth time to create totally pure spirit. This is high saturation distilling, with New Zealand Spring water, which is unique to 42 Below. 42 Below is a smooth, full, grain-based vodka similar in style to vodkas produced in Scandinavian countries, which differ from the potato and rye-based vodkas typical of Russia and Poland. A characteristic of grain-based vodkas is that they have a smoother taste than their rye or potato-based counterparts. 42 Below is batch-distilled just out of Wellington by a distiller with more than 20 years experience in the industry, using water that has attained the highest purity rating possible.""Distilled near a world benchmark for air purity, 42 degrees below the equator and from GM Free wheat from the purist wheat-fields in the world. Distilled three times, then the spirit is washed in spring water, reducing the level of alcohol to 6%. This cleans any remaining impurities. It is then distilled a fourth time to create totally pure spirit. This is high saturation distilling, with New Zealand Spring water, which is unique to 42 Below. 42 Below is a smooth, full, grain-based vodka similar in style to vodkas produced in Scandinavian countries, which differ from the potato and rye-based vodkas typical of Russia and Poland. A characteristic of grain-based vodkas is that they have a smoother taste than their rye or potato-based counterparts. 42 Below is batch-distilled just out of Wellington by a distiller with more than 20 years experience in the industry, using water that has attained the highest purity rating possible."
Price: 19.99 |
 "The distinctive fruit has been picked by the bucket-load, to obtain the purest fruit essence, pure enough to match the sanctity of ingredients in 42 Below vodka. 42 Below do not just add feijoa juice or synthesize the flavour. They collect the flesh of the fruit. They gather the heady, fruity steam produced when it is heated. They turn that into a liquid which is the very essence of the feijoa, and they infuse that into the vodka. The result is a crystal-pure vodka infused with the intense flavours and aromas of this slightly citrus, slightly sweet, very fresh and almost strange fruit. A fruit well known by New Zealanders and South Americans, but little known elsewhere. A real backyard fruit - and that is where you find the ingredients to go with it such as fresh mint, local apple and pear juices or citruses. It is a world first from 42 Below and there are more unique flavours up their sleeves yet!""The distinctive fruit has been picked by the bucket-load, to obtain the purest fruit essence, pure enough to match the sanctity of ingredients in 42 Below vodka. 42 Below do not just add feijoa juice or synthesize the flavour. They collect the flesh of the fruit. They gather the heady, fruity steam produced when it is heated. They turn that into a liquid which is the very essence of the feijoa, and they infuse that into the vodka. The result is a crystal-pure vodka infused with the intense flavours and aromas of this slightly citrus, slightly sweet, very fresh and almost strange fruit. A fruit well known by New Zealanders and South Americans, but little known elsewhere. A real backyard fruit - and that is where you find the ingredients to go with it such as fresh mint, local apple and pear juices or citruses. It is a world first from 42 Below and there are more unique flavours up their sleeves yet!"
Price: 20.90 |
| "42 BELOW - Kiwi Fruit 70cl Bottle" | "42 BELOW - Manuka Honey 70cl Bottle" |
 "After three years of research, the team at 42Below managed to extract kiwi flavour from kiwifruit to make the world's first kiwi flavoured vodka.""After three years of research, the team at 42Below managed to extract kiwi flavour from kiwifruit to make the world's first kiwi flavoured vodka."
Price: 20.95 |
 "42 Below's manuka honey vodka is made with the purest ingredients. The honey is taken from special beehives placed in New Zealand's manuka tree plantations. Unlike most honeys, manuka is darker and more savoury with oaky flavours and a hint of caramel. To make the premium vodka, the raw manuka honey is vapourised by applying direct heat, driving off steam, that condenses into a rich essence. 42 Below Vodka is then infused with the honey essence. The complex flavours are easily absorbed and create a unique spirit that is drinkable either over ice or as part of a premium cocktail like 'honey on the rocks' or 'manuka mule'. 42 Below Vodkas have already won a series of awards and are capturing the imagination of leading bartenders, mixologists and sommeliers around the world. In December 2003, 42 Below Vodka was judged first equal in a professional blind tasting of 18 of the world's best vodkas for The Independent Newspaper and scored 90-95/100 with Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA. Pure wheat grain with no genetic modification and no genetic engineering, 4 distillations, 35 filtrations and volcanic spring water welled from thousands of feet underground make 42 Below vodkas as pure as you can get. 42 Below pure vodka blends the smoothness of Polish vodkas with the cleanness of Scandinavian vodkas to achieve a smooth, full-bodied spirit with generous grain flavours and a nice peppery finish.""42 Below's manuka honey vodka is made with the purest ingredients. The honey is taken from special beehives placed in New Zealand's manuka tree plantations. Unlike most honeys, manuka is darker and more savoury with oaky flavours and a hint of caramel. To make the premium vodka, the raw manuka honey is vapourised by applying direct heat, driving off steam, that condenses into a rich essence. 42 Below Vodka is then infused with the honey essence. The complex flavours are easily absorbed and create a unique spirit that is drinkable either over ice or as part of a premium cocktail like 'honey on the rocks' or 'manuka mule'. 42 Below Vodkas have already won a series of awards and are capturing the imagination of leading bartenders, mixologists and sommeliers around the world. In December 2003, 42 Below Vodka was judged first equal in a professional blind tasting of 18 of the world's best vodkas for The Independent Newspaper and scored 90-95/100 with Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA. Pure wheat grain with no genetic modification and no genetic engineering, 4 distillations, 35 filtrations and volcanic spring water welled from thousands of feet underground make 42 Below vodkas as pure as you can get. 42 Below pure vodka blends the smoothness of Polish vodkas with the cleanness of Scandinavian vodkas to achieve a smooth, full-bodied spirit with generous grain flavours and a nice peppery finish."
Price: 20.90 |
| "42 BELOW - Passion Fruit 70cl Bottle" | "AALBORG - Jubileaum 70cl Bottle" |
 "The pureness and clarity of 42 Below's multi-award winning vodka is combined with the sweet round tartness of passion fruit to create this most softly nuanced of tipples. It is all in the method. No sugar, no fruit concentrate, no artificial ingredients. 42 Below passion-fruit vodka is the purest of vodka infused with the purest of passion-fruit. The very essence of the fruit is distilled from its pulp and steeped into the vodka to achieve a blend that is as cool as it is warm, and as soft as it is dry and it's the perfect base for a diverse range of drinks. Try it long and tall, with citrus juices, tonic and ice, sip it on the rocks or in a cocktail of your own!""The pureness and clarity of 42 Below's multi-award winning vodka is combined with the sweet round tartness of passion fruit to create this most softly nuanced of tipples. It is all in the method. No sugar, no fruit concentrate, no artificial ingredients. 42 Below passion-fruit vodka is the purest of vodka infused with the purest of passion-fruit. The very essence of the fruit is distilled from its pulp and steeped into the vodka to achieve a blend that is as cool as it is warm, and as soft as it is dry and it's the perfect base for a diverse range of drinks. Try it long and tall, with citrus juices, tonic and ice, sip it on the rocks or in a cocktail of your own!"
Price: 20.90 |
 "Aalborg Jubilaeums Akvavit is golden and elegant with a few simple aromas. Dill is encountered in the refined company of coriander, the prinme characteristic of this pure, fruity aquavit. Star aniseed and citrus can also be discerned, all nicely rounded off with a piquant, burnt quality suggestive of caramel. It was introduced in1946 to celebrate the 100-year jubilee of Aalborg Taffel Akvavit. Excellent with fish, in particular, fried fatty fish. Pickled duck or chicken with a full-bodied light sauce will also be enhanced by this charming aquavit.""Aalborg Jubilaeums Akvavit is golden and elegant with a few simple aromas. Dill is encountered in the refined company of coriander, the prinme characteristic of this pure, fruity aquavit. Star aniseed and citrus can also be discerned, all nicely rounded off with a piquant, burnt quality suggestive of caramel. It was introduced in1946 to celebrate the 100-year jubilee of Aalborg Taffel Akvavit. Excellent with fish, in particular, fried fatty fish. Pickled duck or chicken with a full-bodied light sauce will also be enhanced by this charming aquavit."
Price: 25.68 |
| "AALBORG - Taffel 70cl Bottle" | "ABA - Pisco 50cl Bottle" |
 "The classic Aalborg Taffel Akvavit has an exceedingly pure aroma of caraway, supported only by the slightest suggestion of orange. It's body and aromas open up the taste. Friends of Aalborg Taffel Akvavit could say the same in 1846, as the recipe has remained unchanged ever since - and the result likewise. A crystal-clear aquavit, full of character, best enjoyed chilled as an accompaniment to herring and other good food, and preferably in cheerful company. It is the preferred aquavit of Danes and in 2002 was elected best aquavit in the world at The International Wine and Spirits Competition held in London.""The classic Aalborg Taffel Akvavit has an exceedingly pure aroma of caraway, supported only by the slightest suggestion of orange. It's body and aromas open up the taste. Friends of Aalborg Taffel Akvavit could say the same in 1846, as the recipe has remained unchanged ever since - and the result likewise. A crystal-clear aquavit, full of character, best enjoyed chilled as an accompaniment to herring and other good food, and preferably in cheerful company. It is the preferred aquavit of Danes and in 2002 was elected best aquavit in the world at The International Wine and Spirits Competition held in London."
Price: 21.94 |
 "The proven existence of Pisco can be traced back to 1871, and its original Appellation of Origin was reserved and approved by law in 1931. Pisco ABA is produced in the heart of the Elqui Valley, a long narrow oasis that winds its way through the Andes. A 'boutique' type of distillate made by the Aguirre family. Produced with double distillation in copper pot stills. You can drink Pisco ABA in a delicious Pisco Sour (Chileans' favourite cocktail), or mixed with Schweppes, Tonic Water or Ginger Ale (called 'chuflay' in Chile), or simply neat on the rocks. Awarded: Gold Medal - VinItaly 2002; Silver Medal - International Wine & Spirit Competition 2002 (London); Double Gold Medal - The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2004.""The proven existence of Pisco can be traced back to 1871, and its original Appellation of Origin was reserved and approved by law in 1931. Pisco ABA is produced in the heart of the Elqui Valley, a long narrow oasis that winds its way through the Andes. A 'boutique' type of distillate made by the Aguirre family. Produced with double distillation in copper pot stills. You can drink Pisco ABA in a delicious Pisco Sour (Chileans' favourite cocktail), or mixed with Schweppes, Tonic Water or Ginger Ale (called 'chuflay' in Chile), or simply neat on the rocks. Awarded: Gold Medal - VinItaly 2002; Silver Medal - International Wine & Spirit Competition 2002 (London); Double Gold Medal - The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2004."
Price: 15.35 |